Chocolates and other items were purchased by Anthony Howell during “Small Business Saturday” at Sweet Rickedy Redo’s in St. Louis.

“It just has so much more character in a small business,” said Howell, a Sterling Heights resident. “It’s nice for the money to stay locally and to support friends and neighbors instead of it going to a corporate headquarters.”

Businesses in mid-Michigan reported having high sales on both “Black Friday” and throughout the day on “Small Business Saturday”, which follows the annual sales from larger stores.